Electric Vehicle Charging Stations: Enhancing Safety for Responders and the Public

Charging stations that supply power to multiple electric vehicles (EVs) are primarily available along major highways. However, they are becoming more common in public parking garages and workplace parking lots.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) defines these EV charging stations as direct current fast charging (DCFC) stations with high electric potentials ranging from 400 to 1,000 volts.

When an emergency occurs at one of these stations, responders need a quick means to disconnect power to mitigate the emergency safely. However, many responders are neither trained nor equipped to operate in extreme electrical hazard areas, especially if these areas do not have a readily accessible electrical disconnect.

The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T) recently announced progress toward changing National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70: National Electric Code to add requirements for emergency disconnects on EV charging stations.

In 2023, a task group composed of experts from DHS S&T’s Big City Fire Working Group and the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory formed to recommend language to address the need and propose changes to the code.

The final step in revising NFPA 70 will take place in June 2025, when a technical committee will vote to approve the language for inclusion in the 2026 version.

In addition to DCFCs, the DOT defines 2 additional EV charging speeds: Level 1 and Level 2. Level 1 chargers are the most common and can operate through a common residential 120-volt AC outlet.

Although Level 1 and Level 2 charging equipment operates at a lower voltage than DCFCs, installing and operating these chargers properly is critical to lowering the risk of fire or electric shock. The U.S. Fire Administration provides safety messages and an Electric Vehicle Charging Safety Tips sheet PDF that you can share with EV owners in your community.

Learn more about DHS S&T’s project to update NFPA 70 and enhance DCFC charging station safety in its Jan. 16 feature article. Visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website for more information on EV battery charging safety and how to locate public charging stations in your area.